MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS

The absolute highlight of my trip to Boston this past weekend was hanging out with my daughter and my twin sister, Wid.
We had a blast beyond compare.
The city was crazy busy with runners. We arrived on Saturday and went to the expo after a side stop at Solas Irish pub.
No beer for me, but it was fun watching Wid partake. I was jealous.

The following picture is of Wid and Avery at the finish line set up of the marathon. People were milling about and taking pictures.






We spent Saturady and Sunday doing touristy things like trolley tours, eating, shopping, going to Boston Commons.
Then I ditched Wid at Filenes's Basement to go back to the hotel for a nap. She was in full force and not ready to slow down. I just hoped I would feel that way on Monday morning for the marathon.

On Monday, I met friends Dawn and Beth for the ride out to Hopkinton.
We hung out in the athletes village getting lucky four leaf clover tatoos and taking pictures.
Like this one:




And this one:




And this one:




I was in the first corral of the second wave of runners. Our start time was 10:30.
As I was lining up, I once again got teary at the thought that I was again running the most historical marathon in the United States. It was a great honor that I had worked very hard for.

For this marathon, my goal was to re-qualify for Boston with a 3:45. My secondary goal was to finish having had fun.
I missed the BQ by 10 minutes. I ran the first 13 miles too fast and basically blew up in the second half. At mile 18, I was just thinking that I would be happy with a sub 4:00.
My final time for the run was 3:55. I'll take it..but now I have to go run another marathon this fall if I want to run Boston again in April.

Viscious cycle!
Here I am with Wid and Avery at the finish.. Man! Was I GLAD to be done!